HC Deb 29 January 1958 vol 581 cc362-3
26. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation for how long the question of extending to other railway regions the automatic warning system of the Western Region has been under consideration.

Mr. Watkinson

The standardisation of the Great Western system of automatic warning control was fully considered by the British Transport Commission when it decided in 1948 that warning control should be widely extended, but it was not found suitable for electrified lines. The Commission then decided to develop an improved system, which after extensive trials I approved at the end of 1956. Since then the Commission has been engaged in the preliminary work for its introduction on all the main routes.

Sir F. Medlicott

Would my right hon. Friend recall that he gave a somewhat similar answer to me over two years ago? Is not this a matter of the utmost urgency?

Mr. Watkinson

I think that the answer I gave my hon. Friend at that time was that I had just approved that we should press on with this system as a proper system of A.T.C. for British Railways. Since then work has started on well over 1,000 miles of control equipment, and installation will go forward as quickly as possible.